Page 369 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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engagements. The Government of India endorsed the view of Colonol Kemball
tlmt the various engagements which have been executed by individual Truoial
Chiefs are-necessarily binding on their successors. But Government thought
that it is desirable to secure that eaoli such successor is clearly acquainted
with the provision of the agreements (No. 23G9-E.A., dated 26th December
I960).

(vil) JOURNEY OF MAJOR COX FROM THE PIRATE COAST TO MASKAT, 1002.
170. In April 1902, Major Cox undertook a journey from the '’irate
Coa6t to the Maskat Const by the interior
Gulf Administration Roport for 1902 03.
of Oman and sailed for this purpose
to Abu Thabi on H.M.S. Redbreast.
171. Tho utmost assistance and hospitality was afforded to him by Shaikh
Zaid-bin-Kalifa, Chief of Abu Thabi. xoithout tobose cordial co-operation
the first portion of the journey could not have been p rfor/ned; and on
disembarking tho Political Agent, H.M.S. Redbreast returned to Maskat
with a despatch requesting the Sultan to be so good as to 6end his trusted
Lieutenant Sheikh Hashid-bin-Uzaiz, Governor of Somail, or some other
influential Shaikh, to meet the Political Agent at Ibri in the Dahireh.
His Highness cordially and promptly responded and Shaikh Rashid duly kept
tryst at lbri on 14th May.
172. Some portion of the country passed through in the Dahireh district
had not been visited before by a European, so far a9 is known and of the
remainder of the route much had not been traversed for many years.
173. The principal places visited were Abu Thabi, |Bereymi, Hafit
Dthank, Ibri, iNejd-ul-Makharim Gabrin, Behla, Nezwa, Tanuf, the villages,
of the Jebel Akhdar ranse, Samail, Sarur, Bidbid, Finjah and so on to Maskat
which was reached on 29th May.
174. No serious opposition was offered to the Political Agent’s progress,
and when the difficulties and occasional risks of first contact had boen got
over, and his identity and credentials made known, the villagers aud Bedouins
met with were uniformly frieudly. The chief impediment to the security of
travel in Oman, as in other parts of Arabia, is the suspicious nature of the
bucolic Arab, who is ever ready to believe any exaggerated or lying story
that t7iay happen to get abroad regarding the identity and motives of the
stranger sojourning in his country.
174-A. The peasants were found to be much better armed in this, the
northern half of Oman, than they are in the south; in fact obsolete rifles were
altogether at a discount.
176. Major Cox was much struck by the powerful hold of the Sheikh
of Abu Thabi on the tribes in the Hinter­
Soo Chapter XII (iv), ante.
land of the Pirate Coast.

(viii) THE BRITISH RELATIONS WITH THE TRUCIAL CHIEFS, 1902.
176. Colonel Kemball in his letter No. 173, dated 12th December 1902,
S«r.t k_ April isos, No.. 193-196. reviewed our relationship with the Truoial
(The report the outcome on he diioos»ione Chiefs. He explained that our position
to Secret e., April 1901. Noe. 99-ioo) wjth regard to them is at least one of tacit
predominance. Our overlordship so far as it refers to the maintenance of mari­
time peace, to the protection of our traders and to the observance by the Chiefs
of their various engagements with us, is clear and is acoepted by the Chiefs !
without demur. In regard to internal affairs our policy has been not to interfere
unless internal disturbances led to breach of maritime peace or injury to British
residents, hut our predominant position on the Arab Coast enables us to offer
advice in internal disputes, which is welcomed and obeyed cheerfully as a rule.
In matters of succession, we refrain from formally recognizing a new Chief,
but de facto successions are tacitly recognized by us. The Truoial Chiefs are
in fact for all practical and necessary purposes under the British protectorate,
and there appeared to Colonel Kemball no necessity for making this protectorate
more formal.
177. No action was taken on this communication of Colonel Kemball.